Bernardia myriciifolia
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Plant Description: Deciduous shrub to 2 m or higher. Leaves obovate to elliptic, 6-30 mm long, alternate, simple. Male and female flowers on separate plants, the male in clusters and the female solitary.
Plant Trivia: Mouse ear name comes from the look of the leaves which are said to resemble mouse’s ears.
Field Identification:
Occurrence: Occurs on slope, bluffs, and caliche ridges.
Bloom Period: March – November
Plant Use: Leaves are good browse for deer and livestock. Host plant to Lacey’s scrub-hairstreak butterfly. Good landscape plant (xeriscape).
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